Originally published on dolphinmusic.co.uk
If you're out to get your first set of drums, you might want to pop into a store so you can see exactly what you're buying, and all the little parts - that's if you haven't got the help of us at PMT! The obvious question when thinking of buying a drum kit is, what are all the different drums that make a complete set? How do I know if I have the right drums? Well, first of all, we sell complete kits for beginners, or if you want a whole new kit, as well as separate parts for those of you who may be more advanced and are adding to their kit.
In this buying guide, we will try our hardest to answer all your drum related questions - What are electronic drum kits? What are acoustic drum kits? What's the difference between acoustic and electric drums? What's the best drum brand? What's the most cost effective drum kit for me? So today we're going to pit Electronic vs Acoustic Drums so you can decide what might be best for you.
Drum kits for kids
As a parent - there are a few questions you should ask yourself when looking for a kit and considering whether an acoustic or electric kit is best for your child.- Is this going to fuel a neighbourhood fire?
- Do I have enough space to set up a drum kit?
- Will my child be performing or gigging with their drums?
5 reasons to buy an Electronic Drum Kit
[- Compact & Portable - electronic drum kits are much more portable than acoustic kits. Aside from the benefit of electric kits generally being smaller than acoustic, once you've finished practicing you can fold them up and pack them away.
- Versatility - if you're a beginner and not sure which genre of music you're going to enjoy playing, an electronic drum kit will let you switch from genre to genre. This is also useful if you're a session player, play with different bands or perhaps you play in pubs or at weddings?
- Convenience - thanks to the near-silent pads on an electronic drum kit, you can play quietly in a small venue, a requirement most small stages require. That doesn't mean you can't play on a large stage with one - with an electronic kit you can play freely without mics, reducing feedback! You also have more control over the sound sent to the house PA with built-in effects and multiple audio outputs.
- Flexibility - electronic kits give you the ability to play and record your track whilst being able to edit individual notes or instruments to your liking. Perfect for recording.
- Free to Practice - most models feature built-in metronomes meaning you can analyse your playing to check the important things, like how in time you are. You can listen to yourself through headphones too, reducing noise.
Best Electronic Drum Kits
Some of our favourite electronic drum kits are the Roland TD-11 KV Kit which features the all new TD-11 Sound Module for £1,199.00, and the more budget-friendly TOURTECH TT-12SM Electronic Drum Kit with Mesh Snare for just £249. Another excellent choice, for just £532 is the Roland TD-1DMK V-Drums Electronic Drum Kit. You can about our best cheap electronic drum kits HERE.5 reasons to buy an Acoustic Drum Kit
- Make some noise - acoustic drums are much louder and need no amplification. Their sound is also more natural and crisp. This is great if you're in a band and rehearsing as you can you can play along easier than electronic
- Set-Up - with acoustic drums, you can create your set-up according to preference and drumming ability. As you begin to progress and build your skill, you can add more drums such as cymbals and toms.
- Dynamic - acoustic drums and cymbals have their own individual sound, but are more dynamic as you can use different brushes and mallets to create softer or harder sounds.
- Realistic - Acoustic drums are also more realistic in that you can learn drum rolls, buzz rolls, cymbal swells and hi-hat techniques
- Adjustable - acoustic drums and cymbals can be adjusted to different angles and heights to suit your specific set up, which again, is perfect for when you develop your skills and want to add more drums to your set-up.